To expect to actually be measured for a bra fitting?

M&S are absolutely awful for fitting and I tell everyone this. I told them my size, they didn't have it, and told me that absolute rot about 'sister sizes' (going up a band and down a cup size) which essentially means they try to sell you a poorly fitting bra just because it's a size they stock. I've (against my better judgement) been back a couple of times in the last couple of decades and they're still peddling it out.

M&S are dreadful. Not only do they use the +4 thing, but they will also fit you in whatever bras they have rather than say they don’t do your size.

I’m a 36HH and m&S tried to put me in a 44DD. Coincidentally the largest bra they had in store that day… The fitter was offended when I laughed at the state of it on me.

Bravissimo have always been good for me. Not only at sizing, but also styles that suit my shape. They’re also really good in the nearest one at being able to say “I’d say probably X size in this brand, Y size in that one because they fit smaller/bigger”. And they’ll also say when they don’t have a size in stock rather than just stick you in something else.

Rigby and Peller have only ever looked at me and pretty much always get it right in terms of the sizes they bring. They may even differ slightly by brand.
it’s clever!

never stay with a rude bra fitter!

How skilled do you think a bra fitter is? It’s just a quick training 🤣

But it’s the same as buying jeans. You have an idea of your size and you grab a few at that size and one up and one down.

you don’t need professionals to help you buy jeans or fitted dresses or blazers.

I haven’t had a bra fitting for ages, but m&s always measured me the wrong size. Victoria secrets and Boux avenue were much better.

I have bought but always returned bras from bravissimo - when you return them and can show them the red whelps from the wrong size they refund immediately.

I had an M&S fitter tell me a new bra should fit on the tightest hooks, the opposite of what I've been told at bravissimo which is they fit you to the loosest and then as the bra stretches over time you can move to the tighter hooks. I have zero confidence in m&s for bra fitting.

A 42 band is a pretty big size. If you were a 34 before, no way have you gone up to a 42 without significant weight gain. So many people wear too big a band size without realising, and you can see why if this is what fitters are suggesting.

My petite daughter, size 8 and a 30/32 inch bust went to M&S for a fitting recently. Was ‘measured’ as a 36!! Needless to say she left without buying.

I have Rigby and Peller training as a fitter and have never used a tape measure, just eyeballed it.

The difference is in the level of training, I wasn't allowed to fit unsupervised for 3 months. Not sure if it's true but I was told by someone that M&S staff get half a days training before being let loose on the customers.

Tape measures are unnecessary if you actually know what you are doing.

Manufacturers need to invent an all-size bra tryer-on-er. For each of their ranges.

You know how opticians swap lenses in and out of the weird specs during an eye test? Some kind of endlessly adaptable bra version of that so you can figure out the size without trying on hundreds of different bras.

If that ever appears on Dragon's Den, I am claiming invention rights.

When I was last measured at marks and Spencer the bra was so tight I couldn't breathe!!!

M&S are notoriously bad at bra fitting - and have been for some years.

When you get a properly fitting bra you don’t spend half your day pulling the strap down at the back it just stays in place. Some bras are a lot more forgiving than others (stretchy lace compared to something with more solid cups for example).

i’ve used bravissimo since before there were shops but as I’ve got older I find it easier to order online & try at home as the shop fitters aren’t all the same & I think they fit you well if you are slim, but once you have “back fat” or an older body they’re not consistently good at fittings unfortunately.

it’s a pain sending things back & forth but worth it to get a good fit & often you can find the same styles for less on other websites too.

I also find the ladies on the phone at bravissimo better than some of the shop fitters

it’s harder work than it should be really when you think about how much bigger bras cost! X

M&S guesstimated me at 42B which I dutifully wore for a few years until I went to bravissimo who measured me at 36DD! The difference was amazing!

The problem is M&S. they have no skilled bra fitters. I am a 34 KK. They tried to squish me into a 40DD… my boobs were in 4 parts, squished up and looked horrific, the woman said “there you are a properly fitting bra” I laughed at her and refused to go back. They are all incompetent.

Exactly the same thing happened to me at m&s!, (can't remember if she measured or not- it was pre covid) but following bf, feeling low in my body and they offered when I walked in with bras. When I said what size I thought I was from boob and bust (and I'd already picked up those so had them with me in the fitting room) she looked me up&down and laughed saying I don't think so dear. I felt so humiliated and patronisd. I tried them on and hey surprise, they fitted and the ones she'd brought in didn't!

Stay clear of marks and spencer. Terrible measuring. Try john lrwis bravissimo or and independent lingerie shop

@CaptainCabinets YABU to go and get measured by M and S. The "bra fitter" clearly has no idea how to measure women for bras.

A very basic way to measure is to measure under your bust then over your bust. The underbust measurement is your band size and your cup size is the difference between your underbust and overbust measurement. This is just a starting point.

A professional bra fitter doesn't use a tape measure. We have a brilliant independent lingerie shop in the local market town. When I went to a fitting she asked what size I was wearing and what dress size I was then came back with a selection of bras that all fitted me properly.

As a rough guide, adding 20 onto your dress size is usually your band size, so unless you are a size 22 then a 42 inch band size is completely the wrong size for you.

I went to an independent bra fitter near where I live. She measured me then suggested some bras for me to buy online. I went back with those and now know the best size to wear in a range of brand. It was really good, and no eyeballing! Lots of measuring and adjusting the fit.

Never been measured, only fitted.

M&S are terrible for bra fitting. I’d try bravissimo (they do virtual ones), or use boob or bust calculator online and order a few from bravissimo to try